On Tuesday 15 May at the end of the most recent meeting, the rapporteur for the revision of the 1999/62/EC directive (known as the ‘Eurovignette directive), Christine Revault D’Allonnes Bonnefoy, and the shadow rapporteurs reached a more ambitious agreement then the European Commission's proposal of 31 May 2017 as part of the first "mobility" package (see EUROPE 11799). MEPs at the European parliament's transport committee will now have to transform this draft.
Although a number of points still need to be resolved (see EUROPE 12019), the position of the negotiators is not very surprising and the draft report from Ms Revault d’Allonnes Bonnefoy had already effectively received the initial support of MEPs at the transport committee during her presentation last January (see EUROPE 11940, 11944). The agreement is therefore, overall in keeping with what was advocated by the Parliamentary socialist.
Key points. The compromise advocates, within a perspective for respecting the “user pays" principle, a total end to the time-based road charges systems, of the vignette kind, to be replaced by road toll distance-based systems for heavy duty vehicles and vans (whose maximum permitted laden mass are above 2.4 tons) for the transport of merchandise up to 1 January 2023.
Ms Revault d’Allonnes Bonnefoy initially set this date for 2024. This point appears to be supported by the majority of political families represented. This will not involve imposing tollbooth systems on member states if no road charging mechanism is in force but will urge them to replace the vignette systems with toll systems. The Commission was not initially suggesting an end to the vignette system.
As suggested by the rapporteur, the final compromise amendments suggested that the compulsory transfer of the vignette system to a toll system should be extended to all four-wheeled vehicles, including passenger cars by 1 January 2026. The Commission had simply suggested that the vignette should not apply to light utility vehicles at the end of 2027.
The vote on this point, is, however, uncertain. In contrast to the draft report, there is, however, no question here of applying these provisions to motorcycles but a separate amendment could be put to a vote.
Charges for external costs (air or noise pollution) related to the "polluter pays" principle, should also, according to the compromise amendments, be compulsory on all roads covered as from 1 January 2021 for heavy duty vehicles and vans used in the transport of merchandise.
There is, however, no obligation applicable to light vehicles, in keeping with the Commission's proposal. Although the majority of the political families appear to agree with this amendment, participation by MEPs at the EPP, is not, however, certain.
Secondary roads where traffic can be diverted from the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), could also if the states so wish, apply the provisions previously mentioned. The EPP, who argued against this during the meeting of Parliament's transport committee on 14 January, is not expected to support this amendment. It is also expected to argue against the possibility of introducing congestion charges.
The suggestions by Ms Revault d’Allonnes Bonnefoy on reduced charges for regular users or in peripheral all mountainous regions have mainly been kept. they did not, however, obtain the support of the Greens/EFA, ECR or ENF groups.
Will national interests influence the vote? Parliament's transport committee vote is planned for 24 May.
Although this agreement between the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs is ambitious, it is possible that the voting discipline applying to it will not be respected within the political groups. A few surprises relating to the defence of national interests should therefore not be ruled out.
At the Council, discussions have not begun and the national experts and ministers are currently focusing on the social and market aspects of the first "mobility" package. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)